Cooking with Cannabis: Curb Your Hunger with Cannabis Chili KATHRYN CANNON FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE This recipe for cannabis chili is spicy enough to warm you up, hardy enough to assist in regulating appetite, and may support you in meeting your health goals. For medical patients and some recreational users, incorporating cannabis into your daily routine can have a significant and positive impact on overall health. Since feeling full and cannabis use don’t always hand-in-hand, especially for new users, I thought it prudent to provide a few tips for keeping the munchies at bay.
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Things to know before enjoying cannabis. Know your dose. Follow the adage “start low and go slow.” Once you find your optimal dose, you will know what to expect when enjoying cannabis. It’s the oversaturation of receptor cites in our endocannabinoid system that may lead to unwanted side effects, such as getting the munchies. Know THC stimulates the secretion of ghrelin, the hunger hormone. Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) activates your hypothalamus which signals the secretion of ghrelin in the stomach. Ghrelin is an important hormone that lets you know when you’re hungry. Ghrelin has other functions including
playing a role in energy homeostasis, cardioprotection, muscle atrophy, and bone metabolism. My tip: have healthy snacks on hand to satisfy cravings produced from the ghrelin. Know what food you have eaten that day (and the last few days). Sometimes it’s not the munchies. You may be experiencing hunger pangs from a nutrient deficiency of protein or vitamins.
heighten senses like sight, smell, and taste. Cannabis can make foods more appealing and might even make you a more adventurous eater. Here’s what having this vegetarian cannabis chili regularly could do for you. LOWER BODY WEIGHT
While new users might report overeating, chronic cannabis users report a different experience. Often folks report cannabis helps them It’s important to fuel your body, and manage body weight. Interestingly, this infused chili is packed with protein, many studies support this, showing vitamins, and minerals. chronic users have an overall lower body weight and lower risk of obesity. Know cannabis can make food more (Of course, chronic use of cannabis appealing. Using cannabis may increase feelings of being present, and carries its own health risks.)
Winter 2022| MIGreenStat
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